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The
Straits Times, 21 Apr 04
Small charities won't be hurt by Pools-Tote
merger
By Lydia Lim
Donation commitments will be honoured, says minister, after MPs raise
concerns of smaller charities that they may be left out
SMALL charities now being supported by Singapore Pools have been assured
they will continue to receive funding after the gaming operator is
acquired by the Totalisator Board (Tote Board).
Second Finance Minister Lim Hng Kiang said in Parliament yesterday
that the move on May 1 would in no way affect the donations, outreach
and commitment to such organisations. 'The Totalisator Board will
honour all of Singapore Pools' on-going donation commitments. In fact,
the merger will bring together the donation approaches of both organisations
for more holistic results,' he said.
The two gaming operators now separately manage the donation of the
surpluses generated. This has led to some overlap in donations, especially
in the charitable and community development sectors, he said during
a debate on changes to the law to enable Singapore Pools to come under
the Tote Board.
With the change, the Board will have sole right to conduct all betting
activities and manage donation of surpluses. 'With this merger, I
think the Board can take an overall view and allocate the funds more
efficiently and more optimally to areas worthy of their support,'
Mr Lim said.
Dr Amy Khor (Hong Kah GRC) supported the merger as it would make for
more efficiency. But the change had also caused 'disquiet' among the
smaller charitable bodies: 'They are concerned that with the transfer,
there could be a change in donation policy to the detriment of the
smaller recipients, much like what was construed to be the fate of
some smaller customers after the DBS-POSB bank merger.'
Responding, Mr Lim reiterated that both gaming operators would fulfil
the commitments made to their beneficiaries. 'In particular, I would
like to assure the smaller charities that they will not be left out.
They will continue to be strongly supported by the Tote Board,' he
said. Any rationalisation of donations would only take place over
a longer time frame, he added.
Nominated MP and former Singapore Sports Council chairman Ng Ser Miang
praised Singapore Pools for supporting sports development here. Without
its funding, 'sports in Singapore would not be where it is today',
he said, adding that he hoped the Tote Board would continue with the
practice. Responding, Mr Lim said the sporting community - which received
about $120 million from Singapore Pools last year - would continue
to receive strong support from the Tote Board.
Dr Khor had earlier also said that she was tempted to engage in the
'delicious speculation' that the merger was a precursor to the Government
eventually taking a stake in a proposed casino, should one be set
up here.
Mr Lim was not about to get involved in similar speculation, but said
his personal view was that any proposed casino should be run by a
private operator. 'The Tote Board will be running the current operations
and there is no intention for the time being to expand its operations,'
he said on the future role of the agency, a statutory board under
the Finance Ministry.
He also reminded MPs that the Government has yet to decide on whether
to allow a casino here: 'So let's wait before letting our imaginations
run wild.' |
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